Used Car Dealerships in Cincinnati

Picture this: you’re sitting on your couch, thinking about how it’s time to start shopping for a used truck, so you search “used car dealerships in Cincinnati” and see us pop up. You hit the link to our site, start browsing, and (liking what you see) you go to our used vehicles page. Right off the bat, you probably notice we have more than 1,000 models available here in Cincinnati – staying calm, you narrow that down to trucks, and you’re still looking at hundreds of options.

Right about now, you’re probably starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by all of these different choices, but we’re here to help. Let’s say you narrow it down even further and just look at used Chevy trucks; you’ll still find that we have more than 100 models available for you to look at. All of these impressive options let us help you find exactly what you need, but you have to be able to navigate this incredible selection we offer. One of the best ways to do that is to look for specific model years or ranges of years that coincide with certain generations for each truck.

Finding the Right Year and Generation

Although there are usually little upgrades and changes each year (sometimes they can be pretty substantial), the big changes are typically reserved for new generations of a model. This is when you’ll see a major exterior revamp, new materials used that alter how it drives, and some new engines becoming available. When you’re looking at used trucks, the generation and model year can have a dramatic impact on the kinds of powertrains and features you find.

Of particular note, with big generation changes, you’ll often see new engines and designs that allow for improvements in payload and towing capacities. These changes can be pretty minor, but they can also be quite significant, so it’s worth keeping them in mind. You’ll still need to look at the specs and particulars on any specific used truck you’re interested in, but certain model years and generations make narrowing down your options a lot easier.

Chevy Colorado

2004 – 2012

First introduced in 2004, the Chevy Colorado was originally a compact truck, and that’s what you’ll find throughout this first generation. During these years, both manual and automatic transmissions were available, along with two-door regular and four-door crew cab and extended cab models. There were a number of different trims offered, including a Base trim, LS, and LT, while the available Z71 Off-Road suspension was particularly popular for hitting the trail. An update in 2007 brought in more-powerful engines and a refreshed exterior.

2015 to Present

Chevy skipped production of the Colorado for the 2013 and 2014 model years and then brought it back in 2015 as a larger, midsize pickup. That’s a very important difference to keep in mind if you’re comparing a 2012 and 2015 Chevy Colorado. With its return, it not only became longer but also featured a redesign inspired by the popular Chevy Silverado. Initially, two gas engines were available, with a diesel option added for the 2016 model. Extended and crew cab configurations are available on this second generation along with numerous trims, including a Z71 off-road trim and, more recently, a ZR2 off-road option.

Chevy Silverado 1500

1999 – 2006

For more than 20 years, the Silverado 1500 has been Chevy’s full-size light-duty pickup that offers a fantastic combination of power and capability. First introduced in 1999, the Silverado replaced the C/K pickup line and established itself as the new leader in American full-size trucks. One of the great things about the Silverado, from the very beginning, is how many options are offered on it: three bed lengths, three cab sizes, and numerous configurations between them. With V6 and V8 engines and both manual and automatic transmissions, these early Silverado models had a lot to offer.

2007 – 2013

The second generation for the Silverado launched with a full redesign, including the frame and suspension, as well as improved engines. They were designed to be incredibly aerodynamic, allowing for greater functionality and performance, with numerous V6 and V8 engines on offer across the various trims. 2008 saw the end of manual transmissions offered on the Silverado, while 2010 brought an interior refresh and expanded trim options.

2014 – 2018

With another redesign on a new platform, the Silverado 1500 launched its third generation with the 2014 model year. Featuring a V6 and several V8 engine options, the third-generation models have a high-strength steel frame, plus a roll-formed steel bed and aluminum components to keep the overall weight down. An 8-speed automatic transmission was introduced for the 2015 model year, which became more widely available on 2016 models, along with a mid-cycle refresh that included a new grille and front fascia.

2019 to Present

The current generation of the Silverado 1500 kicked off 20 years after its launch with the 2019 model and a huge list of changes and improvements. This generation launched with eight different trims available, six engines, and numerous configurations resulting in a ton of different used Silverado models out there. A turbo-diesel engine also became available with this generation, marking massive power and impressive performance. Updated safety features and a revamped interior truly let these most-recent models stand out, and they’re worth looking for when shopping used.

Chevy Silverado HD Series

1999 – 2006

In many ways, the Silverado HD models run parallel to the standard Silverado 1500, but there are some key differences. When these first became available in 1999, they included 1500 HD and 2500 HD models – these were joined by the 3500 HD the following year. Throughout this first generation, you could find all three Silverado HD options, and they included powerful V8 engines and Allison transmissions – though only the 3500 HD has been offered with a dual-rear-wheel or “dually” configuration.

2007 – 2014

With the launch of its second-generation alongside the Silverado 1500, the HD Series dropped the 1500 HD and was simplified to two models: the Silverado 2500 HD and 3500 HD. Where an 8.1L V8 engine had been available in the first generation, the available engines were streamlined to a pair of smaller V8 options: one gas, one diesel, both with a 6-speed automatic transmission. An update for the 2011 model year included a fully boxed high strength steel frame and suspension changes that allow 4WD models from this point on to handle a snowplow.

2015 to 2019

Starting with the third generation, the HD Series received its updates a year after the standard Silverado 1500, which is important to keep in mind while shopping for your next used truck. Major updates for this generation included the addition of an available Driver Assist Package, which had impressive features like Adaptive Cruise Control, a Forward Collision Warning, and a Lane Departure Warning to make driving these heavy-duty trucks safer and easier.

2020 to Present

The current generation for the Silverado HD trucks came a year after the Silverado 1500 and took these powerful pickups to the next level. For this generation, a new gas V8 engine became standard with boosted power and performance over the previous year; the diesel engine remained largely the same but featured an updated cooling system for improved overall performance. It’s a powerful and impressive truck that can get a lot of work done, and the 3500 HD remains available in a dually setup for unbeatable fifth-wheel towing potential.

Choose Wisely

You can see how important your choice of model year and generation are to the kind of used Chevy truck you end up with. Navigating all of these options can still be rather intimidating, however, which is why we’re here to help. Call or come visit us at McCluskey Chevrolet to learn more, and we’ll make sure you find the perfect pickup.